4.75 stars
This series is intense in its brutality and l love every second of it. For anyone who hates action books where everyone makes it through unscathed, this is the series for you. I am completely undone by that ending, and my only consolation is that I have the third book in my possession ready to go.

What I liked:

1. The scope of this story is huge. There are billions of people on several planets who are directly affected by the actions in this book and it really feels that way as you read it.

2. Political intrigue. This story is so intricate. You never know whose side anyone is really on and who you can trust, and even when you do, circumstance sometimes changes allegiances. It can’t be a little confusing to remember who is used on which side, but politics can be confusing as it is, so that’s pretty authentic!

3. World-building. This world (galaxy?) is so complex. From social customs to history to entertainment, this series explores virtually every aspect of society.

4. Action. I don’t read many ‘war’ books. Some books may have battle sequences, but it’s usually the climax of the story. This book was battle after battle. And I really enjoyed it. I didn’t feel confused by what was going on, which tends to happen to me. I feel like Brown’s writing was interesting and informative while still being entertaining.

What I didn’t like:
Even though I’m giving this book 5 stars, I’m not going to sit here and pretend it is a perfect book:

1. I still feel like the female characters are underdeveloped, especially Mustang. I did really love their last scene in the book. That was really well done. But still, many of the female characters in this book seem to just be there to prop of Darrow. Not cool.

I am so thankful that I have the third book in my possession so I don’t have to wait to finish the trilogy.